The Banganga Fair is very popular not just only for religious reasons but also for tasting a flavor of Rajasthan culture. Apart from a large number of devotees, traders, too, make their way here to sell numerous interesting articles to visitors which are displayed at numerous stalls, like Rajasthani textiles, handicrafts and, of course, authentic mouth-watering Rajasthani food.

Thus, the fair offers a lot of value for traders who come to trade their goods in the market. The fair is heartily cherished by both adults and children, who enjoy various exciting activities organized. The fair is a treat for children as well with all kinds of rides present here. Altogether, the Banganga Fair is one of the prime considerations when planning to visit Jaipur.

Time of Celebration of Fair

The Banganga fair is celebrated by the devotees in April and May months of every year. This fair of Rajasthan has significant mythological believes for the nearby area people and worth seen experiences for the rest of India.

Main Attraction

To have a Holy bath in the scared stream on Vaishak Purnima is the major attraction of this fair of Banganga.

Tourism Essential

The tourists from all over the world have high attraction for the palaces, fantastic forts, thrilling landscapes and colorful rich traditions of Rajasthan. These are not the only attractions of Rajasthan; it is also famous for its festivals, fairs and lots of other fascinating things. Rajasthan has got numerous fairs and festivals and the capital city of Jaipur is unique in offering the varied recreational and entertaining performances with other historical monuments.

One of the most wanted and visited fair of Jaipur in Rajasthan is Banganga fair. This fair, a gala event, is celebrated with full enthusiasm and keenness by the local people along with other people coming here to observe and enjoy this festival.

Nearby Attractions

City Palace

Upon visiting the magnificant City Palace, it's easy to see that the royal family of Jaipur was one of the richest in India. The huge complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings blend both Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The Peacock Gate is exquisite, and contains an alluring display of detailed workmanship featuring bright peacocks

"Hawa Mahal" Palace of the Winds

The intricate and fascinating facade of the Palace of the Winds is probably Jaipur's most recognized building. Constructed in 1799, it has five floors that contain rows of small windows and screens.

Wind used to flow through the openings, giving the palace its name. However, the wind has now gone from the Wind Palace. Legend has it that the palace, which overlooks the main street of Jaipur's lively Old City, was built so that the women of the royal household could watch the streets below without being observed

Galta Monkey Temple

Getting to this rather ruinous but holy Hindi temple, nestled in peaceful surroundings between two granite cliffs, is quite an adventure but it's completely worth the effort. The temple is part of a larger temple complex, which also has three sacred pools of water. One of the pools has been taken over by thousands of monkeys that congregate there to swim and bathe. They're generally friendly and love to be fed.

Amber Fort and Palace

Around half an hour's drive from the city center, like something out of a fairy tale, Amber Fort is set on a hill top overlooking Maota Lake. It was the original home of Rajput royalty until Jaipur city was constructed, and contains a number of breathtaking palaces, halls, gardens, and temples. Inside, the elaborate mirror work adds to the grandeur. The fort entrance is reached by walking up the hill, going in a jeep, or taking a lurching elephant ride.

banganga amber

Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort, also known as Tiger Fort, is perched high on the rugged Aravali Hills overlooking Jaipur city. The fort was built 1734 to help defend the city. It found fame in 2006, after many scenes from the movie Rang De Basanti were filmed there. Nahargarh Fort offers spectacular views, which are best seen at sunset. It also makes a great place for a picnic as there's a cafe on the premises, which serves beer and snacks until 10 p.m.

Jaigarh Fort

The massive Jaigarh Fort was built in 1726 and holds great appeal for military lovers. Flanked by towering gateways and watchtowers, it contains the world's largest cannon on wheels. The cannon has never been fired though, and neither has the fort been captured. As a result the fort has remained intact over its long life, and is very well preserved. Infact, it's one of the best-preserved military structures of medieval India. Jaigarh doesn't have the delicate interiors of Amber Fort, and therefore appears as a real fortress.

Elefantastic

Elefantastic offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of India's much loved elephants for a day. An elephant farm in an elephant care village, Elefantastic was formed in 2012 to promote the wellbeing of these giant creatures and show tourists that not all of them are mistreated. Before starting Elefantastic, Rahul (the founder) worked as an elephant rider for nine years. At Elefantastic, you'll be able to wash, feed and water the elephants, learn about elephant decorating and have a painting class, and learn about the elephants' medicines and treatments.

Markets and Shopping

Jaipur is an excellent place to shop and you'll find an enticing variety of goods available there. Some of the most popular items are precious gemstones, silver jewelry, bangles, clothes, blue pottery, and textiles

Jantar Mantar Observatory

Jantar Mantar, built by King Jai Singh II between 1727 and 1734, literally means "calculation instrument". More than just a curious collection of sculptures, each structure at the intriguing Jantar Mantar observatory has a specialized astronomical function. There are 14 structures in total, which measure time, predict eclipses, and track stars. The most impressive one is the huge Samrat Yantra sundial. At a height of 90 feet (27 meters), it has a shadow that moves roughly the width of a person's hand every minute

Government Central (Albert Hall) Museum

This old and famous museum was modeled on the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Its collection includes portraits of local kings, costumes, woodcarvings, paintings, and arts and crafts. Unfortunately photography isn't allowed.

Things To Do

Sight Seeing :

Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Nagargarh Fort are three palaces to see. Jal mahal, Albert Hall, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Monkey Temple or Galta Temple, Kanak Vrindavan, Raj Mandir, old city area and havelis. These will give you insight of Mughal and Hindu architecture.
Amber City Palace

Photography :

Apart from monuments and palaces, there are several moments that one would definitely like to capture through third eye. Bustling city life, festivals, decorations etc are worthy capturing on camera.

Shopping :

one cannot resist shopping in Jaipur. Famous markets include MI road, Bapu Bazaar, Chaura Rasta, Tripolia Bazaar, Johri Bazaar. just roam around in city area and you will find numerous things to buy for yourself and family members.
Experiencing delicacies :

Try traditional food items at L.M.B, Rawat Mishtan, Chokhi Dhani. These will you variety of Rajasthani dishes to choose from. Apart from these all kinds of food items catering to palate of people coming from across the globe are available in fancy restaurants. After food enjoy juicy Pan.

Night Life :

Unlike western world, the city has a different night life. One can sit on tea stall or road side food joint and chat for hours. You can find good clubs for hang outs. All major hotels have their clubs.
Temples :

The city connects you spiritually and religiously. The age-old temples like Govind dev ji, Moti Doongri, Birla Temple, Sheetla Mata temple, Chooligiri Temple are of the religious places that helps maintaining mental calm

Elephant and Rickshaw ride :

You must have enjoyed speed but have you experienced watching things go by slow motions. Just try elephant ride and Rickshaw ride when you are in city.
Art exhibitions :

Art is something which is inherited by generations. Check city palace, Jawahar Kala Kendra and some popular art galleries to have a look at minuscule art work of artist and buy them.

Luxurious hotels :

Jaipur has some of the finest palaces turned into hotels, giving you the right feel of royal times. Some of the hotels worth experiencing are Raj Vilas, Rambagh palace, Jai Mahal Palace, Raj palace.
Festivals :

The city is full of events. Round the year there are several festivals that keeps people busy. Some of the important festivals are Kite festival in January, Gangaur in March, Holi festival in March, Teej festival in July and August, Chaksu, Sitlamata and Donkey Fair and Elephant and Diwali festival etc.

Best Time to Visit

March - May and October - March

How to Reach

Bairath town is located 86km away from Jaipur on a divert route, near Shahpur, connecting Alwar from National Highway No.-8.

Regular bus service operations are there between Maid, a place very near to Banganga stream, and Jaipur.

Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima, celebrates the birthday of Lord Buddha. It also commemorates his enlightenment and death. It's the most sacred Buddhist festival.

Event date: Buddha Jayanti is held on a full moon in May each year. In 2014, Buddha Jayanti falls on May 14.

Tourism Attractions

Activities include prayer meets, sermons and religious discourses, recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions, and worship of the statue of Buddha.

At Bodhgaya, the Mahabodhi Temple wears a festive look and is decorated with colorful flags and flowers. Special prayers are organized under the Bodhi Tree (the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment).

The National Museum in Delhi also brings the mortal remains of Buddha (what are believed to be some of his bones and ashes) out for public viewing on Buddha Jayanti.

Things To Do

Many Buddhists visit temples on Vesak to listen to monks give talks and recite ancient verses. Devout Buddhists may spend all day in one or more temples. Some temples display a small statue of Buddha as a baby. The statue is placed in a basin filled with water and decorated with flowers. Visitors to the temple pour water over the statue. This symbolizes a pure and new beginning.

Many Buddhists pay special attention to Buddha's teachings during Vesak. They may wear white robes and only eat vegetarian food on and around Vesak. Many people also give money, food or goods to organizations that help the poor, the elderly and those who are sick. Caged animals are bought and set free to display care for all living creatures, as preached by Buddha.

Celebrations in Bodh Gaya

In Bodh Gaya, the place where under the sacred Bodhi Tree He attained enlightenment, a whole lot of people from all over the world come to attend the ceremonies that take place.

Throughout the day, prayer meets, sermons on the life of Gautam Buddha, religious discourse, continuous recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions, worship of the statue of Buddha and symposia take place. The Mahabodhi Temple is decorated to mark the special occasion.

Celebrations in Sarnath

Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is famous as the place where the Buddha delievered His first sermon. On the day of Buddha Purnima, a large fair is organised in Sarnath which attracts a large number of people. Relics of the Buddha is brough out for public display in a procession.

Apart from this, devotees make a beeline to offer their prayers at the Buddhist temples of Sarnath. They offer, fruits, flowers, candles etc to the statues of Lord Buddha and reaffirm their faith in the practice of Buddhism. The monks take part in prayers, sermons, recitation of Buddhist scriptures are other important religious activities to pay their respect to the great teacher.

Celebration in Sikkim

In Sikkim, the festival is known as Saga Dasa and has Buddhist people visiting monasteries and listening to sermons and giving gifts to the monks. The monks, on their part involve themselves in day long readings of scriptures before the statue of the Buddha.

Celebrations in Delhi

In the capital city of the country, mortal remains of the Buddha are brought out from the National Museum on this day and is held for public viewing.

Celebrations in Sanchi

The Buddha Purnima Day in Sanchi sees the images and portraits of the Buddha being taken out in a processon.

Coorg also called as Kodagu is derived from the local version Kodavu and the people of Kodagu. According to ancient scripts the land of initial settlement was called Krodadesa which later became Kodavu. Coorg is sometimes misspelled as “Koorg” and “Coorge”.

Location

Coorg is located in the south-west part of Karnataka bordering Kerala. Coorg measures 96 km (north-south) in length and 64 km east-west in breadth. The area of Coorg district is 4102 sq. kilometers and the population estimated in 2001 was 545,322, increasing 11.64% from 1991 to 2001, and 5.75% from 1981 to 1991.

Attraction

Coorg is one of India’s famous travel destination and has been called the Scotland of India by the British and also called as the Kashmir of South India. Coorg has become a latest tourist hot spot and people from all over the world visit Coorg.

Toursim essential

Coorg’s natural beauty, the people, the culture and the food is the major attraction which draws people towards Coorg from all over the world.

Tourism Attractions

Raja’s Seat

Raja’s Seat in the town of Madikeri is where the kings would sit and watch the sunsets with their consorts. This is considered one of South India’s most scenic locations. The view from Raja’s Seat is breathtaking as you gaze upon the green valleys and towering hills. This is the perfect place to sit with a glass of wine and watch cars curving up the road to Mangalore that lies in the valley like a flowing ribbon. The government has set up a garden all around Raja’s Seat.
Omkareshwara Temple

The Omkareshwara Temple was established in 1820 by Lingarajendra II with Mumammadan style architecture, which featured a center dome and four corners with turrets. According to legend, the king put a pious Brahmin to death unjustly and the spirit of the priest began tormenting the Raja. On the advice of his Dewan, Ponnappa, the Raja built the temple to appease the Brahmin’s spirit. The Omkareshwara Temple has a Linga near the door of the entrance. The history of the temple was inscribed by the king on a plate made of copper that is hanging at the frame of the door to the temple entrance.

Abbi Falls

Coorg’s most popular waterfall is a 5 km drive from the main town.

Gaddige

Gaddige, Rajas’ tombs or the tombs of Dodda Virarjendra & Lingarajendra II is a significant historical monument in Coorg. The royal tombs provide a commanding view of the entire town. In 1820, the tomb of Lingarajendra was built. In addition, there are tombs for two army commanders and a priest. There is a plaque to commemorate General Biddanda Bopu, the Commander-In-Chief of the 18th Century Coorg Army who defeated the Mysorean Army. The tombs are Muhammadan style with center domes and turrets. Even the bars of the windows are made of fine brass and adorned with beautiful engravings.

Talacauvery & Bhagamandala

Every year, at a predetermined time, water gushes out from a small pond at Talacauvery, the birthplace of river Cauvery. Talacauvery is located 44 km from Madikeri, on the slopes of Brahmagiri Hill. Besides being a pilgrimage center, Talacauvery is known for its natural beauty

Things To Do

1. Stay in a Home-Stay

The charm, the aura and the surroundings of a home-stay are really very special. Coorg has plenty of options for home-stays. We stayed at Eco Habitat in Kushalnagar which is slightly off Coorg but a fantastic property and well connected.

Located at about 30 minutes from the Eco Habitat, Bylakuppe is a Tibetan Refugee settlement, the magnificent Monastery in Kodagu state. You would see Tibetan refugee monks, their families and the golden statues of Buddha and other gods across the Namdroling Monastery.
5. Don’t Miss out on Abbey Falls, Madikeri
6. Go for the Jungle Trek in the Western Ghats

With lush green jungles & waterfalls all around, Coorg is a heaven for those who love trekking. We trekked right after the monsoons and there were leeches who greeted us, but the breathtaking views and the scenic waterfalls didn’t dampen our spirit.
7. Adore the Mountain View at Raja’s Seat, Madikeri

Raja’s Seat (Seat of the King) is a seasonal garden of flowers and artificial fountains and was a favourite of the king during ancient times. It is a popular tourist spot in Coorg and you would see large groups of youngsters out here at any time during the day. The garden offers breath-taking views of low rise mountains and you can spend hours here adoring the sunset.
8. Experience the Natural Beauty of Coorg
9. Grab a Copy of Short Escapes from Bengaluru

Best time to visit

Summer Season: March, April and May; Temperature: 25 to 35°C or 77 to 95°F
This is the best time to visit Coorg as you can enjoy the out-door activities. For those who have a weakness for the more sedentary pleasures, summer is the time to pack your bags.

How to reach

Nearest railhead are Managlore, Hassan, Mysore and Thalasserry. Mangalore is the major railway station close to Coorg, Mangalore is connected by rail to all cities in India.

Camping in the middle of a Himalayan forest is not everyone’s idea of a holiday! If you are up for spending the night with a lantern, exploring the jungle at night with a torch, living in a tent amid a dense jungle, rappelling on the rock face, waking up at midnight to the call of the barking deer, or if you’re lucky, a leopard, then you are sure to love an adventure at Getaway Jungle Camp.

Attraction

Getaway Jungle Camp is true to its name, and to reach it, you must cross the big lake by boat (or a swim!), and hike a short distance through the woods. The campsite is a dried out lake of Sattal, making it a specular valley whose hillsides are dotted with colourful trees of oak, pine and deodar The two dozen tents of the camp are interspersed with tall, bright green poplar trees, planted back in the early 1990s. The surrounding forest is home to leopards, porcupines, wild boar and barking deer. Its location in this forest makes the camp a haven for bird lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, and an ideal place to spend a few days in the wild.

Toursim essential

The main objective behind establishing Camp Hideaway is to promote Outdoor Adventure activities, Tourism and Indian Culture among people and serve them with a complete and natural feel of Mother Nature and this is done in a new and innovative way. The Adventure camp is set up in the lap of nature far from various kinds of pollution. It is designed to give a complete feel of being close to nature. Set amidst deep woods fresh air and on the bank of river Hyule. A place where one will be spiritually high with well assisted activities like yoga and meditation. It is a complete package of nature, culture, luxury, spirituality and adventure.

India Location

1. The Pench Jungle Resorts Pvt. Ltd. started Pench Jungle Camp in Madhya Pradesh 102 Kms from Nagpur. The Pench Jungle Camp built in nestling amongst 12acres of lush foliage, sprawling lawns, and untouched landscaping as it was there when taken to built the camp to create a perfect Paradise.

2. Kanha is one of India’s largest national parks, covering 1 945 km², and is located in the Maikal Hills of the Satpura Hills range in the south eastern part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Park has beautiful areas of sal forests, large bamboo stretches and lush green meadows.

In 1973, when Project Tiger was launched to save the tiger, Kanha was one of the nine reserves selected for the project. It is prime tiger country and is the project’s star success story.

3. Sattal literally means seven lakes, and while two of those have dried up, the ones that remain are reason enough to visit this lesser known neighbour of Nainital & Bhimtal. The two lower lakes look something like a photoshopped picture; isolated turquoise blue waters nestled in a colourful forest of maple, oak & deodar. The three smaller lakes have joined to form a big one, on one side of which lie most of Sattal’s lodgings and food joints, while the other is draped by a dense forest amid which the camp is located.

4. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sundarbans National Park is a magnificent tangle of mangrove jungle that's the only one of its kind in the world. It's spread over 54 islands and extends into neighboring Bangladesh. Part of the Sundarbans is home to a 2,585 sq kilometer (1,606 sq mile) Tiger Reserve, which includes a 1,330 sq kilometer (826 sq mile) national park.

The Sundarbans has three wildlife sanctuaries, one within the national park at Sajnekhali, as well as south of the park at Lothian Island and Haliday Island. In addition to tigers, the area is full of reptiles, birds, and other animals such as monkeys, wild boar, and deer.

Activities

Jungle camping is a trekking and camping programme conducted by the forest department The area is an ideal location for wild life observation and it also provide trekking and river rafting.

Trek and camp amidst the ever green forest of the western ghats at Thekkady. At periyar, you will camp in the deep rain forest, where the bio-diversity will mesmerize and the wild life and birds are abundant. Endangered species including the elephant, lion tailed macaque are often sighted in the trekking.

The programme here are managed by the trained local people. The visitors can go for trekking and bird watching in the many trails around. Deleasious Kerala food and snacks will be provided to the visitors.

Ladakh is a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, it lies athwart two other, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range.

In geological terms, this is a young land, formed only a few million years ago by the buckling and folding of the earth's crust as the Indian sub-continent pushed with irresistible force against the immovable mass of Asia. Its basic contours, uplifted by these unimaginable tectonic movements, have been modified over the millennia by the opposite process of erosion, sculpted into the form we see today by wind and water

Location

Perched on a height of 3505 meters from sea level, Leh is located towards the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir.

Attraction

Traveling to Leh - Ladakh can be an exhilarating experience. Ladakh holds immense beauty for the beholder; the mountainous desert stretches from peak to peak, a divine painting done in strokes of purple, brown and grey, with streaks of silver and patches of green along the Indus River.

Tourist Attractions in Leh-Ladakh includes its pristine beauty, its well known monasteries, its cities and the adventure sports like trekking, rafting in Indus and mountain climbing. Safaris are also part of its tourist attraction. Exploring Ladakh on the Yak back or the camel, can be an experience worth taking back home.

Toursim essential

Leh’s Buddhist monasteries and historical monuments are the biggest draw for visitors. The most imposing of these is the Shanti Stupa, located just outside the town. In the heart of the town, on top of a steep mountain, the 800 year old Kali Mandir houses a fascinating collection of masks.

You can stop to spin a huge prayer wheel on your way there. The 17th century Leh Palace, built in traditional Tibetan style, offers a captivating view of town. Southeast of Leh, Thiksey Monastery is the place for seeing amazing sunsets. The Hemis Monastery is the wealthiest, oldest, and most important monastery in Ladakh. Find out more about these must-see Buddhist monasteries in India.

Nearby attraction

Hemis Monastery
There are interesting tourist places in Ladakh. The Hemis monastery is the largest monastery in Ladakh. Hemis is famous for the huge painting of Buddha displayed once in 11 years to the public.

Thiske Monastery
The Thiske monastery near Leh is known for its architecture while the Shey Monastery houses a huge gold plated copper statue of the Buddha.

Gompas in Ladakh
Alchi, Likir and Lamayuru are amongst the oldest Gompas of Ladakh. Sankar Gompa, 3-km north of the town centre, is among the most accessible monasteries in central Ladakh.

Nubra Valley
The beautiful Nubra valley with its breathtaking views transports you back into a nearly forgotten 'Shangri La'. Once the trading route that connected eastern Tibet with Turkistan via the famous Karakoram Pass, it is one of the most recently opened area of Ladakh.

Lakes in Ladakh
Ladakh is blessed with some beautiful lakes. The Tso Morari Lake is one of the largest lakes in Ladakh region and is almost like an inland sea, the Pangong Tso, at an altitude of almost 4,500 meters and 134-km long is an amazing sight. Kyaghr Lake is the halting place for trekkers moving from the Kiangdum camping ground to the Tsomorari Lake.

Hemis Wildlife Sanctuary
Hemis Wildlife Sanctuary, the high altitude national park beckons the wild life enthusiast.

There are also many longer trekking trails to choose from, such as the ones from Likir to Temisgam, and Markha Valley from Spituk. Mountain climbing trips can be booked to peaks such as Stok (20,177 feet), Goleb (19,356 feet), Kangyatse (20,997 feet) and Matho West (19,520) in the Zanskar Mountains.

White water rafting is also possible in July and August along the Indus River in the Leh area, as well as the Shayok River in the Nubra Valley, and Zanskar River in Zanskar.

The Nubra Valley has camel safaris as well. Dreamland Trek and Tours is an eco-friendly adventure company that organizes a wide range of trips in Ladakh, Zanskar and Changthang.

Other reputable companies include Overland Escape, Rimo Expeditions (costly but high quality), and Yama Adventures. It's recommended that you compare many companies to see what's on offer.

Best time to Visit

The best time to visit Leh is between May and September, when the weather is the warmest. Ladakh doesn't experience rain like elsewhere in India, so the monsoon season is the perfect time to travel to Leh.

How to reach

Flights to Leh operate regularly from Delhi. Flights are also available to Leh from Srinagar and Jammu. Alternatively, the roads to Leh are open for a few months of the year, when the snow has melted. The Manali Leh Highway is open from around June to October each year, and the road from Srinagar to Leh is open from June to November. Bus, jeep, and taxi services are all available. The trip takes around 2 days because of the difficult nature of the terrain. If you have the time and are in good health, do travel by road as the scenery is amazing.

Mewar festival is observed to welcome the arrival of spring season with all zest and dedication in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The spirit of the festival can be seen throughout the state of Rajasthan, since Udaipur has been always the governing place of the Mewar rulers, you will find its exact flavor in the city of Udaipur.

Mewar Festival of Udaipur is a major festival of Rajasthan and is famous all over India for its liveliness.

Location :Udaipur,Rajasthan

Time and date : 2-4 April

Attraction

Mewar festival is one perfect occasion for the women to flaunt their costumes and jewelry. Also they put mehandi on their hands and feet. Starting with the ceremonies, the women gather to dress up the idols of Lord Vishnu and Gangaur, his consort, which they had been crafting from the past days. It is said that Gaugaur is the goddess of marital happiness and conjugal bliss. The married women pray to the goddess for marital bliss and good health of their husbands whereas, the single girls pray for an earnest match of their choice.

After this, the women carry the idols on their head for a religious and ceremonial procession to different parts of the city. Women are seen singing and dancing to cheer and encourage the participants. Local artists are also seen performing. The procession concludes at the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola.

The women transfer the idols to special boats. The scene is really eye-catching to see these hundreds of special boats carrying the idol, flowing in the lake.

Once the ceremonies end, the second session starts wherein one can encounter some of the best cultural performances. These cultural events reveal the typical Rajasthani culture through singing, dancing and drama.

Toursim essential

A very warm spring, this festival is a visual feast with Rajasthani songs, dances, processions, devotional music and fireworks. It is celebrated in the romantic city of Udaipur in Gangaur Festival.

A colorful procession of women dressed, wearing images of the goddess Gauri their way to Lake Pichola. Unusual procession of boats on the lake offers a final assembled this wonderful celebration. The Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring. This coincides with the Gangaur festival, and has a unique charm about it.

Tulip festival in India is south Asia's largest Tulip festival that has been named after the Indian prime minister of India, the late Indira Gandhi. Tulip festival takes place during the months of March and April and is the prettiest festival that takes place in Kashmir at the Siraj Bagh Chesmahsahi in the capital city of Srinagar. It is known as Indira Gandhi memorial garden. This blooming festival is a real treat to the eyes as the garden is spread over 5 hectares of land at the foothills of Zabarmwan near the Dal Lake.

Cost: Entry to the Tulip Garden is 50 rupees for adults and 20 rupees for children

Attraction

The garden boasts of 60 varieties of multi-coloured tulips. It resembles a beautiful carpet that has hundreds of colors and provides a heavenly view to the thousands of visitors, national and international. Around 2 million tulip bulbs bloom here and proudly display their beauty to the tourists. The view is simply magnificent and has countless delicate beauties lined in rows to dance with the wind in front of the tourists.

Toursim essential

The festival has greatly influenced the tourism of the state and attracts the international visitors as well.

You can explore the snow covered peaks, the natural beauty, open fields and above all the beautiful tulip gardens of Srinagar.

Nearby attraction

Dal Lake : It is the most popular for its houseboats and Shikaras and remains crowded throughout the year. The lake covers an area of approximately 26 sq km and is divided intro four sections. It provides a perfect site to enjoying kayaking, swimming, angling, canoeing, water surfing, houseboats and Shikara riding. Fishing activities and water plant harvesting is also done at the lake. During winters, the temperature falls so low that it sometimes freezes the Lake.

Nagin Lake : Situated in the backdrop of the Dal Lake, the Nagin Lake is entitled as the 'Jewel in the Ring'. A narrow causeway is what separates the two lakes. Tourists can spot many Shikaras and houseboats. Water skiing, boat sailing facilities are available at this lake. The lake is a little isolated and much cleaner than the Dal lake.

Jama Masjid : It is among the oldest mosques in Srinagar and displays a monument of Islamic architecture. It was built in 1674 with four spires tower, 370 pillars, prayer halls, etc. Each pillar is made from a single piece of deodar trunk. The temple was destroyed and restored many times. It is also known as the Friday Mosque.

Hazratbal Mosque : Located on the banks of Dal Lake, the Mosque is made from white marble and a fusion of Kashmiri and Mughal styles of architecture can be noticed in its construction. The Mosque is also called Dargah Sharif, Asar-e-Sharif, and Madinat-us-Sani. There is a shrine in the Mosque which is believed to contain a relic-a hair of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.

Shankaracharya Temple: Located at a height of 1,100 ft, the temple is on top of Shankaracharya Hill. It is believed to be built around 200 BC by Jaluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka. From the hill top visitors can get a spectacular view of the snow clad mountains of Pir Panjal mountain range.

Sri Pratap Singh Museum : Established in 1898, the museum exhibits some of the rare terracotta heads of 3rd century, various molded terracotta plaques from 4th & 5th century, ancient brass model of Lokeshvara and a green stone figure of Lord Vishnu sitting on a Garuda. The museum also displays a 5th century copper image of Buddha carved in Gandhara architectural style and some paintings, ancient coins, handicrafts and arms.

Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden : The Garden is located at the foothills of Zabarwan Mountains near Dal Lake. The garden is famous for its annual Tulip Festival that last for seven days. The garden is very spacious and has more than 70 varieties of colored tulip flowers. About 90 acres of land nurture 1.3 million tulip bulbs. Among its vicinity are other gardens like Nishat Garden, Shalimar Garden, Achabal Bagh, Chashma Shahi Garden, Pari Mahal and other Mughal Gardens.

Nishat Bagh : Located on the banks of Dal Lake, the garden was built by Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan in 1633 and is one of the largest Mughal Gardens built here. The garden has some of the rare species of flowers, 12 terraces, flowerbeds, fountains and huge lawns that draw many tourists and travelers.

Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary : The sanctuary is recognized for housing the rare Kashmir stag Hangul and black & brown bears. It is encircled by beautiful mountains and greenery. The sanctuary is spread out across an area of approx 141 sq km. In 1951, the sanctuary was acknowledged as a National Park. A wide variety of flora and fauna is present in the sanctuary. The sanctuary also provides a habitat for various avifauna species too. Special permit is necessary to enter the park.

Gulmarg : Gulmarg- the meadow of flowers is an astonishing mountain resort. It is a spectacular place with picturesque surroundings, dazzling landscapes, serene lakes and beautiful flowers. In winter the snow transforms Gulmarg into India's premier ski resort.

Pahalgam : Pahalgam is a humble village and the base camp for the renowned Amarnath Yatra. Pahalgam offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan Ranges and is appropriate for adventurous activities.

Sonamarg : Sonamarg- the meadow of gold is a picturesque town surrounded by natural beauty, breathtaking glaciers, serene lakes and flower-laden meadows in the Kashmir valley.

Activities

Lal Chowk : Lal Chowk is one of the most popular shopping spots in Srinagar.

Shikara Ride : Hop on for a ride on the most intriguing part of the travel experience when in Srinagar, Shikara in the Dal Lake

Floating Post Office : A real charmer, this post office-cumphilately museum fits itself into a largish boat and is moored right on the Boulevard

Floating Vegetable Market : While you are on a boat ride on the Dal lake, you should always ask for and explore the 'village', located on the lake.

Residency Road : Situated just near Lal Chowk is the famous Residency Road in Srinagar which is an awesome place to shop for Kashmiri

Himalayan Excursion : Being so close to the Himalayan Range, it would be an insult to the peaks if you do not pay a visit to them

Polo View Market : This is the best place to head out to buy some exciting souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones.

Badshah Chowk : Badshah Chowk is the place from where you can buy the world famous Kashmiri carpets

Best Time to visit : Srinagar has only two climates, pleasant summers and a very chilly, freezing winters. Rainfalls are very scanty here. The best time to visit Srinagar is from April to October

How to reach

Srinagar is a very beautiful city and the tourists can have lots of fun and get carried away with the beauty and the pleasant atmosphere.
By Air

The domestic airport of Srinagar connects the destination with other important hubs like Delhi, Mumbai etc.
By Road

The well connected road system offers the finest experience of road transport that connects Jammu and other places like Sonamarg (88 km), Chandigarh (630 km), Leh (434 km), Pahalgam (96 km), Delhi (876 km) and lots more.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Jammu Tawi and connects many states and cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and others.

Gangaur festival of Rajasthan is celebrated in reverence to Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. It derives its name from the words 'Gan' and 'Gauri', the former is another name for Shiv while the latter is used to address Parvati. The festival centers around women and all the rituals to be followed are observed by them. The festival is held in the month of 'Chaitra' as per the Hindu calendar. The festival rituals commence the day after Holi.

The festival celebrates the union of Shiva and Parvati which gives young girls and boys an occasion to interact with each other. It is an elaborate occasion and there are several rituals associated with it. These rituals include:

Location

Gangaur is celebrated all over Rajasthan, and is one of the state's most important festivals. The most notable celebrations take place in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Nathdwara. In Udaipur, Gangaur coincides with the Mewar Festival.

Time and date

In 2014, Gangaur will be celebrated on April 2-3. However, festival rituals commence the day after Holi.

Attraction

Apart from these rituals, newly married women fast for the whole eighteen days of the festival and even unmarried women fast and eat only one meal a day in the hope to find a good husband. During this festival in Jaipur, a popular sweet dish called 'Ghewar' is distributed between families, relatives and friends.

Toursim essential

The ultimate place to witness the spectacular Gangaur festival definitely is Rajasthan. The festival is celebrated in almost every part of Rajasthan with its related tradition and rituals. And in every part of the state, one can observe the differences in the celebrations and festivities of Gangaur.

Nearby attraction

Palace On Wheels : Roll back the pages of time for one glorious week, recapture the pomp and pageantry of a royal past in royal style. Step aboard the Palace on Wheels, once the personal railway coaches of the erstwhile rulers of the princely states of Gujarat and Rajputana, the viceroy of British India and the Nizam of Hyderabad. See Rajasthan in all its splendour and the Taj Mahal at Agra. A celebration of everything that is beautiful. A journey into the past on a luxury train.

ROYAL RAJASTHAN ON WHEELS : Rajasthan is the magnificent land of numerous kingdoms, majestic forts and palaces, diverse cultures, varied landscapes and vibrant colours. Experience the land of regal splendour with Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, the contemporary royal living. The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is the regal delight where every moment is woven together into an everlasting and immemorial experience to be lived and cherished forever. The makers of the Palace on Wheels have rekindled the charm of luxury with utmost consideration of your comfort and modern amenities at the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.

Wild Life Of Rajasthan

In spite of a comparatively hostile terrain, Rajasthan surprisingly is the abode of a number of mammals and birds. Its vast size and latitudinal variations above the sea level of 1,700m provides it with varied vegetation. It provides semi green forests of Mount Abu to dry grasslands of the desert, and from the dry deciduous thorn forest of Aravali to wetlands of Bharatpur.

Heritage Properties : Anybody possessing a fair knowledge of the history and culture of Rajasthan, if asked to delineate the chief characteristics of its rulers in the past world. Unhesitatingly mention their bravery, courage, determination, honour, patriotism, unflinching loyalty and transparent sincerity and simplicity. Another striking characteristic that none can fail to highlight is the warmth and hospitality. All these and more are reflected in various historical monuments like impregnable fortresses, defensive castles and composite havelis which had been the abode of the nobility.
The tradition of hospitality which is instant and spontaneous to visitors, guests and even strangers, continues undiluted since the days of kings and princes. This, in fact, forms part of the people’s life style throughout the territory of this land, and best sums up the ideal of atithi devo bhava.

Adventure & Sports : Sir Edmund Hillary, the great Everester, who's thirst for adventure had proved enduring and never-ending, had found Rajasthan ideal for undertaking a journey on a camel caravan. It was an unusual way to choose to cross the arid Thar desert. And, following in his footsteps, one can re-live the adventure.

Fortunately, one can choose from a number of adventure sports options. Relax with golf, go vintage, or practice archery, go boating - in the Chambal river through the gorges of the Vindhayan plateau of Hadoti, or, go up in the air, for a bit of aerial sightseeing over heritage cities by small aircraft or in hot air balloons.

Shopping: The state enfolds in its lap a diverse kaleidoscope of breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating art-de-facts. The range is unparalleled even while it is sophisticated in its simplicity.

Activities

Dhamma Thali Vipassana Meditation Centre :Vipassana is one of India’s oldest forms of meditation. The aim of this form is to achieve peace of mind and a contented and useful life through a process of mental purification and self-examination. Located in beautiful surrounds, this centre runs courses (for a donation) in meditation for both beginners and more advanced students throughout the year.

Boat Trips : A lovely hiatus from the city is a Chambal River boat trip. The river upstream of Kota is part of the Darrah National Park and once you escape the city it’s beautiful, with lush vegetation and craggy cliffs on either side. It’s an opportunity to spot birds, gharials (those thin-snouted, fish-eating crocodiles),muggers (those keep-your-limbs-inside-the-boat crocodiles) and possibly sloth bears.

Mt Abu Treks :

Lonely Planet review

As well as being the local snake-catcher, Charles from Mt Abu Treks arranges tailor-made treks ranging from gentle village visits to longer, wilder expeditions into Mt Abu Wildlife Sanctuary. He’s passionate and knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna.

Best Time to visit : October to April

How to reach

By Air

Jaisalmer Airport is a military airport and supports only chartered flights, hence is sparingly used by travellers.

By Train

Jaisalmer is well connected with a wide network of trains covering most of the Indian cities like Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur and others.

By Bus

There are no direct buses from Delhi to Jaisalmer as the 17-18 hour drive is too time-consuming and quite exhausting.

When the heat starts getting on your nerves and even mundane activities become a burden, then that is the time for you to listen to your body clock, pack and head towards Indian hill stations that are personification of leisure, pleasure, natural beauty, value for money and adventure-all rolled into one.

Interestingly most of the states of India have hill stations, of which some are extremely exotic and are extremely popular tourist destinations, while others are smaller and quieter places with less hubbub and limited tourist infrastructure. But all in all most offer an exceptional experience.

Most of the hill stations in India are in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir in the Himalayas.

Ananthagiri Hills

Located 60kms away from Vizag. It is an ideal retreat for nature lovers and honeymooning couples. Ananthagiri Hills is known for its beauty and natural splendor.

Driving through picturesque coffee plantations the road to Anantagiri is enveloped with mango groves, waterfalls. Train travel is also an exhilarating experience as lush landscapes of forest afford a memorable spectacle.

Horsley Hills

Located 144km away from Tirupathi. It is situated at an altitude of 1,265 m, which makes this place delightfully cool, with a max summer temperature of 32°C, and minimum of 20°C. the shady slopes found in this are wooded with luxurious vegetation. It is located at an altitude of 1,265 meters from the sea level.

Bomdila

Bomdila is a beautiful small town situated at a height of about 8000 ft. above the sea level from where one can see the brilliant landscape and snow-clad mountains of the Himalayan Range. The Buddhist monastery of Bomdila is the repository of culture and is among primary attractions of the area.

Bomdila is the headquarters of West Kameng district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. Tourist attractions of Bomdila include Buddhist temples, craft centres, the district museum, a sports complex, trekking, hiking and the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.

Ziro Hill Station

Ziro hills are located about 150 kilometers away from Itanagar, capital city of Arunachal Pradesh. This place is also well-known as Apatani Plateau. Local people of this place are called as Apatani tribal. It is a small town which is surrounded with valleys from all sides. It is a beautiful hill station covered with Pine and bamboo groves. This place is famous for rice cultivation in India.

There is the heights point on the Ziro hills where a fish farm is popular for its whispering pine and handicraft centre. This place is covered with huge trees all over the area. People who are in search of fresh air and pleasing environment come here for relaxing and enjoy their holiday with their friends and family.

Pasighat

It is at a height of about 155meters above sea level. This place is situated in the center of the great Himalayas, huge dense forest and other valleys.Pasighat hills is not actually situated in mountains, it is a small town on the foothills of the Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore the weather over here is always pleasant and cool during winter as well as in summers.

This place has some of the stunning views of the snow-clapped Himalayas, the great valleys, waterfalls and other hill surrounding the Pasighat hills. It is said that the sun first rises here in the country so people visiting here will get to see the incredible view of the sunrise raising between the hills.

Chamba

Situated at the height of 996m. above sea level on the south bank of the Ravi River. The valley is noted for the magnificence of it’s scenery-touching the fringe of the Shivaliks and having three well-defined snowy ranges, the Dauladhar, constituting the outer Himalayas, the Pir Panjal or the mid Himalayas, and the Zanskar range or the inner Himalayas.

Biligiriranga Betta

120 kms from Mysore and 247 kms from Bangalore, the Biligirirangana range of hills is picturesquely situated between the Cauvery and the Tungabhadra rivers. At a height of 5,091 ft above sea level, this hill stretches from north to south for about 16 kms. Surrounded by deciduous trees, the forests are teeming with wildlife. And let the cool breeze blow your cares away.

As the day slips quietly into night, watch the stars come out, one by one. The moon casts a silver light. And somewhere in the distance you hear a tiger roar. One can feel the proximity with the nature.

Nandi Hills

60 kms north of Bangalore is the summer resort called Nandi Hills. Also known as Nandidurga, it was one of the summer retreats of Tipu Sultan. The 1478-m high Nandi Hills is the originating point of many rivers. And the forests surrounding the hills, abound with wild animals. Around the Nandi Hills are several smaller hills, which can be visited on foot.

Agumbe

Agumbe, a small village at a height of 826 meters in the Shimoga district, offers the visitor a wonderful sunset view and trekking paths. An ideal setting for R.K Narayan’s Malgudi Days, The hill station of Agumbe in Karnataka attracts tourists for its serenity and enchanting scenic beauty. It has verdant valleys; picturesque mountain terrains, sparkling streams and a rustic charm that draws tourists to it, almost throughout the year.

hill agumbe

Goa has always been one of the most popular tourist places in India. People travel from far and wide to this small state for its diverse mix of beaches, adrenaline activities, parties, nature, and history. One of the best ways to see all that Goa India has to offer is by hiring a motorbike or scooter, and exploring at leisure.

These Goa India tourist places are on everyone's must-see lists.

Goa Beaches

Goa's long stretch of sandy coastline is renowned for its multitude of beaches. There's something on offer for everyone, from luxury resorts to makeshift huts, and trance parties to tranquility.

The Goa India beach that's right for you will depend on the kind of experience you want to have. Want water sports? Head to Baga. Want to hang with the hippies. Try Arambol. Prefer isolation? Agonda or Patnem might be the beach for you.

Markets

The Anjuna flea market is held every Wednesday from morning until evening, except during the monsoon season, on the southern end of Anjuna Beach. The market has has exploded in size and attracts people from all over Goa.

It's now got over 500 stalls, and is still growing. You'll find a huge assortment of goods there, but make sure you bargain. After a day of shopping til you drop, head over to Curly's beach shack and take in the sunset scene there.

Old Goa

Once the magnificent Portuguese capital of Goa India, these days all that remains of Old Goa is a handful of imposing churches and cathedrals.

They are amongst the largest in Asia though. Some of the buildings have now become archeological museums, and provide a fascinating display of Goa's history.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Goa India isn't just all about beaches and churches. The state's location along the mountainous Western Ghats is home to an array of birds and animals.

Around 20% of Goa consists of wildlife sanctuaries. They're open all year round, although October to March are the best months to visit.

Spice Plantations

Another highlight of a trip to Goa India is the spice plantations around Ponda. Goa's tropical climate and dense forests makes it an ideal place to grow spices. The spice farms are open to visitors.

goa spice

You can take a guided tour, enjoy the picturesque scenery, and finish with a spicy lunch.